Category: Common Questions

Downloading Course Files

Using the Folder Resource to Store Course Files

 While Moodle doesn’t have a course-wide “Files” area or “Download All Files” button, the Folder resource gives you the next best thing: a single place per week (or for the whole semester) with a Download folder link that zips everything inside.

Recommended workflow

1) Plan your structure

Decide how students should find files:

  • One master folder for the whole course (e.g., “All Course Files”)

  • Smaller folders by week/module/topic (e.g., “Week 03 • Readings & Slides”)

2) Add a Folder resource (per unit or one master)

  1. Turn editing on in your course.

  2. Add an activity or resource → Folder.

  3. Give it a clear name (e.g., “Week 03 • Readings & Slides” or “All Course Files”).

  4. Add a one-line description (“All readings and slides for Week 03”).

  5. Optional display choice:

    • On a separate page (best for many files; keeps the course page tidy)

    • On the course page (nice for a short list)

3) Upload files

You have two easy options:

  • Batch upload: Drag and drop multiple files into the Folder’s Content area when creating/editing it.

  • Add as you go: Edit the Folder anytime to drop in new files.

Time-saver: Have a folder on your computer already? Zip it, upload the .zip into the Folder’s file manager, then Unzip (right-click menu in the file picker). Sub-folders are preserved.

Avoid confusion: Don’t duplicate files both inside the Folder and separately on the course page. Keep the Folder as the single source of truth.

4) Place it where students will see it

  • Per-week folders: Put the Folder at the top of each section so it’s the first item students see.

  • One master folder: Place it in the General section at the top and label it clearly (e.g., “Download All Course Materials”).

5) Show students how to download everything

When students open the Folder, they’ll see Download folder (creates a .zip of that Folder’s contents). Tell them on day one (or in your syllabus) that each Folder has a one-click download.

6) Keep it current

Add/remove files in the Folder any time. The Download folder link always grabs the latest contents automatically.

Helpful tips

  • Descriptive filenames: “W03_Article-Smith2020.pdf” beats “reading3.pdf.”

  • Visibility & timing: You can Hide a Folder while prepping or use Restrict access to release on a date.

  • Accessibility: Keep names short, consistent, and meaningful; avoid special characters in filenames.

  • Display choice: If a Folder lists many items, switch to On a separate page to reduce scrolling.

What’s New in Moodle 4.5

We’re excited to announce that our Moodle learning management system will soon be updated from version 4.1 to 4.5. While this new release brings meaningful improvements to the user experience, teaching workflows, and overall performance, most are minor tweaks rather than major changes.

  • We have added the “Timeline” block to the Dashboard. This block will give students an overview of due dates for assignments and other activities across all courses.
  • You will see a new “Get Help” block in all courses. This block contains quick links to academic support resources for students. You can edit, move or delete this block if you wish.
  • Faster Course Editing:
    • You can now add an activity or resource in the desired location rather than having to add it to the bottom of a section then move it.
    • You can use “Bulk Actions” to move, copy or delete multiple items at once.
  • Adding an External Tool has changed. See this post.

As always feel free to reach out to your Instructional Technologist or Dave Tatem with any questions.

Combining Sections With a Meta Link

If you are teaching multiple sections of the same course you may want to combine all the students into one Moodle site so you don’t have to post course content multiple times. This is simple to do with a course meta link. You must have the Teacher role in each section for this, and if you are combining sections taught by different instructors contact us for assistance. NOTE: You cannot change the title of the course after doing this. If you would like to change the title of the course, please reach out to an instructional technologist.

Continue reading “Combining Sections With a Meta Link”

Copy materials from another course

It is very easy to import materials, including course section descriptions, files, quizzes and assignments, from a previous course rather than reloading them. During this import,  you do not have to include student submissions and grades, which would be the most commonly-used option.

First, go to the course site that you want to import materials to. Continue reading “Copy materials from another course”

Create an Assignment

First, make sure editing has been turned on in the course, as described in the “Editing a Course” post.

Go to the course section (week or topic) where you want to create an assignment.  From the “+Add an activity or resource” link, choose   Assignment under Activities.  Then click on the assignment icon and you will then be working within the Adding a new Assignment window.  Continue reading “Create an Assignment”

Creating and Using Groups

Creating groups in a Moodle site can be useful in a number of ways: You can create discussion areas for group projects, keep multiple sections of the same course separated, set different due dates for assignments based on group membership, and even create individual research logs by creating a group for each student. Continue reading “Creating and Using Groups”